Question About 3rd Gen Tacoma TRD off-Road

First... Why do so many people, and/or writer's state the Tacoma's are lacking aesthetics inside? Like they are very out-dated? I think my brand new 2021 TRD Off-road. Too me I think it looks very "updated" Inside. It's a truck! I'm completely clueless by those statements??

Also, comparing the jeep Wrangler, and the Tacoma. I keep seeing articles comparing the Tacoma TRD off-road, with the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, which is comparing oranges to apples, IMO. You can't take the top-of-the-line jeep, and compare it to a lower model. So I'd like to get none-biased answers regarding the difference.

I just got back from driving in the snow, and was absolutely AMAZED how well she did. However, my Jeep Wrangler was the Sport Model (low-end model). So I can't compare the two. But, I can say how much I loved driving the Tacoma, and how well it did in the snow and ice!

 

It’s all a matter of perspective. The Tacoma interior isn’t bad but it’s nothing amazing or modern. This was my previous Audi center console controls and instrument cluster for comparison.



As for comparing a Rubicon and TRD OR it isn’t too far off. Other than the suspension the OR is identical in performance to the top of the line Pro and that suspension won’t make the difference in most tests.

 

My last truck (Ford Ranger) lasted me 20 years so my Tacoma is way more advanced than what I was used to.

 

Years ago I had a Wrangler - a 2 door with the 4 liter straight 6 engine. It was a cool little Jeep that I absolutely loved, but it was an absolute horror in the snow. It had tons of power but with very little weight and maybe a 90 inch wheel base, it would spin out at any moment - just tap either the gas or the brakes on a slick surface and it would swap ends in a heartbeat.

The Tacoma has about a 130 inch wheelbase, so it is much more stable in the snow. Add a bit of weight in the bed, and they do fine in the snow.

As for the interior and ride quality, my buddy has a relatively new 4 door Jeep Wrangler (don’t know the trim level) and my Tacoma rides much better (IMO).

 

I drove a 1998 T100 for 17 years and then got a 2018 Tacoma OR DCLB. The Tacoma has much more advanced electronics but the interior is much more spartan. Hard and cheesy plastic, thin carpeting, utilitarian upholstery. The pics are the interior of the T100--padded plastic, thicker carpet and upholstery, overall a nicer look. I'm sure going threadbare saves some weight and helps MPG.

 

That looks nice! Any T100 around here rusted out a long time ago.

 

I loved my sport JK and I love my current Taco OR. These two trucks are simply different trucks. Suspension, size, engine and performance. Personally, I prefer to get a Rubicon instead of a Taco.

 

Holy shit! That's badass. I've had Jeeps for many years. The Sport models have hardly any updated aesthetics. So I'm getting this truck thinking... "Wow, this is high tech." But... It's a truck. An Audi is more of a luxury car. So when they say things like that... Too me, I feel they are comparing luxury automobiles...right?

 

Just beware of ALL THE PROBLEMS JEEP HAVE! Hence why I sold my beloved Wrangler Unlimited.

I had two, which I bought brand new... The list of problems could be turned into a novel... A horror novel at that. Chrysler knows they have these HUGE problems, A. Refusing to fix them, and B. They don't give a rats ass about you. If they weren't such a beautiful machine, people wouldn't keep buying them (then Chrysler would be doing everything to fix all the huge known issues).

I know MANY jeep'r peeps. We are like a family... And they all say the same thing. A lot of people just deal with all the mechanical issues, because they love their jeep. Like mentioned... Jeep people are like a cult. I literally cried when I had to sell mine. But I do really like my Tacoma.

 

Totally different market for sure, the Audi cost twice as much as the Tacoma. It was great to drive and actually towed better than the truck but was way too nice and luxurious for a guy who likes to get dirty and needs a truck bed.

 

Yup. I'm coming back into a Tacoma from a model 3 so it's going to be a bit of a change. Lol.

That said, the Tacoma has more tech than everything in it's class, by far. New ranger looks promising but a new Tacoma is coming and I imagine it will be a pretty decent leap forward.

 

Which model Audi is that? Looks great.

 

Oh ya…I know Jeeps have problems. I heard a lot of complaints from people. I was the lucky ones. I didn’t have problems with mine. Only the suspension issue I had which came after I lifted the truck. I still go with a Jeep, but only the Rubicon with the 3.0 Diesel engine.

 

Q8.

 

I have to agree that the interior is outdated and plain. I have a 2019 TRD Off Road and a good portion of my time and money so far has been into upgrading the interior. Speakers, leather, etc...

In fact I'm not even sure why I like this thing. I just do. I have had to upgrade so much from the suspension, to interior comforts and tech, to tuning just to get it to be nice and drive well. Kind of insane how much needs to be done to a $40k truck. But I still like it. It just is what it is.

 

What's the question?

 

Nothing needs to be done to it. You literally chose to do it all.
This kind of logic perplexes me.
The truck is fine and more than capable out of the factory. If it’s not fine for you, and you whine about how ‘insane’ it is for needing things done/added to it, you bought the wrong vehicle.
You customizing something is a [choice.] want and it is not a need.

 

Thanks, buddy. I have a hard time grasping incredibly simplistic and obvious concepts and I truly did not realize i chose to make those changes. Truly helpful and what a great contribution to this thread.

I guess you missed that part where the OP mentioned those things and then asked for opinions? I gave mine. And the part where I stated I just like them for no obvious reason?

 

I’m not your buddy, pal.

 

But...but....you said you loved me?